11 October 2023 , 07:45
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It had appeared that things were looking up for Holly Willoughby after weathering the Phillip Schofield storm, with ITV bosses planning for her 'golden girl' comeback as she became the main face of This Morning. Yet, behind the scenes, things weren't quite as positive as they appeared as Holly hid her heartbreak over her tough last year.
So her colleagues, friends and viewers alike were left astonished on Tuesday evening as she suddenly announced that she would not be returning to the show after 14 years in the job. It comes a week after she was thrown into the centre of an alleged kidnap and murder plot, for which a 36-year-old man has been charged for.
However, it's been reported that Holly was still heartbroken about her former co-star Phillip Schofield leaving the show and how he was treated. Earlier in the year he stepped down from all of his jobs at ITV after it was revealed he had an affair with a younger colleague on the programme.
Phillip Schofield left earlier this year (Pixel8000)Phillip and Holly were known for being friends away from their job, with Holly being there for him when he came out in 2020 and the pair going through Queuegate together. Despite their strong friendship, a source said that Holly never got over the scandal which triggered him to leave.
The Daily Mail reported a source said "she never got over it" and she "misses" her co-host of 14 years. They added: "You wonder if she regrets the fallout – look at everything that has happened as a result. It’s really sad." It was revealed that Phil allegedly got in touch with Holly after it came out that she received the kidnap threat, but it's not known whether they will rekindle their friendship.
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Holly took to Instagram to announce her departure as she said: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.
"This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day. Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’. It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much."
Holly pulled out of presenting This Morning last Thursday as her London home was being guarded by police after a man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap. On Friday Gavin Plumb was charged with soliciting a man named David Nelson to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5 in Harlow, Essex.